KABUL, Mar 16 (Pajhwok Afghan News): Taliban say they have killed driver of the abducted Italian journalist Daniele Mastrogiacomo last night.

Shahbuddin Atal, purported spokesman for Taliban commander Mulla Dadullah, said the driver named Sayed Agha, son of Faqir Mohammad was found guilty of spying for the foreign troops in Helmand and was executed.

Speaking to Pajhwok Afghan News over the telephone from an undisclosed location, the purported spokesman said negotiations were continued with Italian officials for the release of the journalist and his local guide, Ajmal.

He said fate of the two people would be decided till this evening. About their demands, the spokesman said they wanted release of their six men. However, he stopped short of mentioning their names.

He said the government of Italy was helping the Afghan judicial system and "as the judiciary was doing injustices with the Afghans, therefore, they were subjecting the Italian journalist to such a practice."

The daily La Republica reporter and his two Afghan guides were abducted on March 4 in the Nad Ali district of the lawless province of Helmand. They were accused of spying for the foreign troops.

In an audio-taped message on Thursday, the Italian journalist asked for immediate help in face of Taliban two-day ultimatum. Taliban had set March 16 deadline for the final decision about the fate of the kidnapped men.

Samiullah

dk